Sine Die Nears: Transgender Care Vote, Election Bills, and Georgia’s Legislative Wrap-Up

Tomorrow is Sine Die, Georgia’s legislative deadline. Yesterday, a vote to end taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care for inmates after most Democrats walked out. AG Chris Carr, now running for governor, is criticized for previously allowing such care, spotlighting Democratic values. Republican Senator Brian Strickland filed for AG, possibly jumping ahead of Governor Kemp’s plans. HB397 and SB214 (paper ballots) passed the Senate; HB397 awaits House approval this session, while SB214’s House vote is likely delayed to 2026 unless rules are suspended—unlikely but possible. Judge Totenberg dismissed Curling vs. Raffensperger on standing after seven years, coinciding with these election bills. The Senate equalized teacher and police death benefits, avoiding deeper mental health issues. Flat third-grade reading scores prompted $30.5M for literacy initiatives, though COVID’s lasting harm to kids remains unaddressed.

Tomorrow is Sine Die. Yesterday there was a vote to stop taxpayer funded transgender gender affirming care for inmates. And the democrats walked out during the debate. Only 2 democrats stayed and voted. There are two things to remember here, Chris Carr the AG running for governor that allowed state employees and prisoners to get gender affirming care. This could be a commercial. These are the values of democrats.
Brian Strickland Republican state senator files for GA attorney general run. The proper etiquette would be to not do anything until Kemp makes his move.
Yesterday HB397 and SB214 passed the Senate. Unless SB214 is added to another bill that crossed over this session it won’t be voted on by the House until the 2026 session. HB397 still needs confirmation by the House this session. All the house has to do is approve HB397 because the Senate made some adjustments. It stands a chance of passing. SB214, the paper ballot bill, is very narrow. The noise has to be in the State house on SB214. They could suspend rules and could push a piece of legislation. It could happen but is unlikely.
Judge Totenberg dismissed the Curling vs Raffensperger on standing. Immediately the case was to be determined on standing and during the case she rebuked all challenges to standing. But she holds a 7 year case and waits until there are two election bills on the floor at the end of a legislative session.
State senate voted to pay teachers the same as police officers if they are killed in the line of duty. But we never address the issue and when we do we throw money at it and call it mental illness.
IN GA third grade reading scores have been flat. $18.5M to hire 116 literacy coaches, $2M to give all schools a universal reading screener, and $10M to implement recommendations from the GA council on literacy. What about never harming our children again like they were during COVID.